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Indian policy regarding
technology development post independence was towards self-sufficiency;
this was followed later on by a policy shift towards self-reliance. In
today’s world it has been rightly realized that self-sufficiency is
virtually impossible i.e so prohibitive in both time and cost that it
may defeat our strategic objective.
Technology can be a very valuable tool in border security, primarily
because it can be used as force multiplier by border guarding forces.
It will be naïve to think technology alone can ensure national
security or tackle various threats the country may face. But it would
be equally naïve to ignore the extraordinary role technology has
played in past and continue to play in future.
Kargil conflict in 1999 exposed
countries weakness in arranging proper territorial defense which
implied protection of the last inch of territory, no matter how remote
and unproductive.
The group of ministers in their
recommendation has stressed the need for making greater use of high
technology systems and equipment to counter the cross border
challenges. It is proposed to deploy a suitable mix and class of
various types of surveillance equipments on the IB of the country,
which would act as force multiplier for effective border management.
The
chairman of standing committee of home ministry Shri Parnab Mukerjee
while presenting report on the demands for grants (2003-2004) of MHA
on 8 April 2003 in Rajya Sabha had stated, “The Central Para
Military Forces (CPMFs) have beenplaying a very crucial role in
thwarting both external and internal threats to the security of the
nation..While performing various tasks assigned to them, these forces
not only have had to maintain a constant pressure on their adversaries
such as militants, insurgents, mercenaries,etc. by way of dynamic
deployment, they also have to bear in mind that their weaponry,
gadgetary,equipment, etc. are in no way inferior to those of their
adversaries. With view to enhance their striking capabilities in terms
of better firepower and fully equipped manpower, the modernization
plans of six CPMFs namely, BSF, CRPF, NSG, CISF, ITBP and Assam Rifles
have been put underway.” A five
year modernisation programme of central para military forces with
financial outlay over a period of five years for Rs 3740.71 has been
formulated. First phase of procurement plan has commenced with effect
from 2002.
Technology must be harnessed to
improve peace time response mechanism & battlefield performance.Aerial
and ground surveillance systems are necessary to ensure that the
constant vigil is maintained on the nation’s frontiers.
EVOLVING ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
The need for effective
monitoring of borders with hi-tech aids and sophisticated equipments
can be better understood if a brief account is given of existing
ongoing installation of infrastructure facilities. Government of India
in1986 has embarked upon ambitious costly project of fencing its land
borders with Pakistan. This is a primary technology input aimed at
deterring. Starting from Punjab the fencing cum floodlighting work has
been carried out in Rajasthan,& is in progress in Gujarat and Jammu
border regions. For enhancing mobility &vigilance on Punjab ,Rajasthan
and Gujarat borders metalled roads are being made in phased manner.
Punjab Action Plan was
conceived in 1986 to improve the infra-structural facilities of BSF
which included fencing cum flood lighting of Punjab borders, provision
of additional vehs &high rise OP towers. Punjab borders became testing
grounds for several technological innovations. Using ingenuity and
improvisation,BSF augmented the fence-based security network with host
of incremental measures like selective electrification of fencing, use
of trip flare, laying of low wire entanglements, mobile patrols,
intruders alarms, etc. on the fence.
Indian
security forces need a wide variety of technical monitoring
applications for mounting responsive vigilance. There can be no
uniform employment of such application on different segments of
borders. Moreover each geographical segments of the borders requires a
determinable standard of security & vigilance depending upon the
strategic importance of the area, military threat perception,
incidence of transborder crimes, population pattern with its
ethno-religion spread, disputability, means of communication, relation
level with opposite country and economic variability of the area.
Numbe Number of technologies can assist in border surveillance. These can be
classified broadly as ground based technologies viz underground
sensors ground surveillance radars HHTI, NVDs, ect and space and air
bone technologies such as satellites, aircrafts,UAVs, aerostats,
ect.The border forces have identified surveillance systems like night
vision devices, hand held thermal imagers, battlefield surveillance
radars,ect for deployment Phase-wise deployment of these equipments
has already started. Some of the important items which have been
procured so far under mordernisation plan are 232 Deep Search Metal
Detectors and 30 Nos HHTIs.2215 new vehicles have also been procured
and 889 have been bullet proofed.BSF Air and Water wing have been
strengthened with induction of 6 MI-17 Helicopters and 9 Floating BOPs
and 23 speedboats. For effective communication 2600 VHF/HF Radio Sets
and 3000 VHF/HF Digital Sets are being procured.
There is a need for integrated
and clear communication network for effective command & control of the
forces of diverse services. Communication using SATCOM /HF /HUF with
suitable security modem should be standardized. A well defined command
&control System should be backed by an efficient communication
capability& quick reaction system.
The major components of a command
& control system would be :-
·
To carry on surveillance
·
Detection
·
Verification /Identification
·
Locating
·
Timely actionable info
·
Quick and in time prevention /interception
OPTIMUM USE OF
TECHNOLOGY
The first step in setting up a
sophisticated technology assessment mechanism would be to define real
needs; drawing up good specification for a system that is truly
effective in different terrains and climatic conditions requires
considerable knowledge, experience, judgment and ingenuity and strong
interaction with the world of science and technology.
Holding of type of equipments are
based on ground requirements. However to have best advantage of the
technology the surveillance methodology & equipment used should not
operate in isolation. It should be a greater part of the system. The
number of sensors should be used to compliment each other for
maintenance of continuum surveillance. Info gathered by employing the
surveillance devices need to be made accessible to commanders in the
channel to be able to initiate effective action.
Surveillance information received
from various sensors of various agencies needs to be integrated
through a network for maximum exploitation.
The introduction of technical
monitoring systems is an incremental process. It has to keep pace with
operational dynamics of incumbent force on borders.
LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT AND
TECHNOLOGY
The on going proxy war in J&K
constitute a major challenge to Indian security forces. These
operations are manpower intensive and need elaborate intelligence;
ability to strike swiftly and surgically and also be able to apply the
healing touch to win heart and mind of the people. Terrorist
organizations in order to negate their asymmetric disadvantage in
relation to the state power have a better record of using technology
to their advantage.
In Indian Army an efficient
C4ISR system forms the backbone of its modernization plan.
The key of success in LICO is
better situational awareness and swift precision strike on the target
area. The enhanced situational awareness and smaller battle space will
lead to better protection of own forces and the system. Technology can
be of great help in such situation .
Computerization at all level
will provide instant access to intelligence database. Satellite
imagery & UAV surveillance of the combat zone will be of great help in
building intelligence & information data bank thereby improving the
situational awareness.
Accurate fire power in area of
operation precisely and speedy is possible by use of GPS, precision
guided munitions etc. Main advantage that the terrorists have over
the security forces that they can choose the time and place of
strike. Security forces response can be speedy by use of helicopters,
vehicles with protection of IEDs and fitted with GPS.
Better protection of own forces
and the system can be achieved with help of technology by using
lighter protection gear, lethal firepower with laser guided weapons,
safe and miniaturized communication system, ballistic helmets mounted
with visual, chemical and biological sensors and cyber security.
The doctrine for combating LIC
needs to be evolved jointly by the security forces and the organ of
the government. This needs to take into account state of the art
technology already available & likely to be available in years ahead.
CONCLUSION
Machine cannot replace men on the
borders. At the best they can help them to do there job better and in
quick time. What is needed to train the men in making optimal use of
technology-based resources.. Their synergizing effect with manpower
does help in effective management.
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